Page 31 of Stolen Queen

Resigned to my life for the moment, I sit down, putting the cloth napkin in my lap. I note how he’s dressed in an expensive suit, different from the slacks and shirt or jeans and T-shirt I normally see him in.

"Why are you so dressed up?" I ask, desperate for conversation, even if it’s with my captor.

He glances down at his suit. "I was at a wedding. Lazaro D'Amato's." He sits across from me as if it’s the most normal thing. Like two people sharing a meal, not a prisoner with her warden.

“For ten minutes, you were engaged to him. Are you upset that he’s married someone else?” he asks me.

I wonder if he’d be jealous if I said yes. No. I’m just another commodity to him. I shrug, acting like I don’t care as I poke my fork in my penne pasta.

“I bet you’d have rather married Elio. He’s a bit more stable emotionally.”

I look up, wondering why he’s so interested in my thoughts about the broken engagements with Lazaro and Elio D’Amato. "Should I feel jilted that they both broke off the engagement after meeting me?” Okay, so it was a hit to my ego that two men took one look at me and decided to marry someone else. But I like to believe they did it because they found true love, not because there’s something wrong with me. Then again, Matteo has had me locked up here for… well, I’m not sure how long, but except for the one moment I tried to seduce him, he hasn’t shown any interest in me. The man known for fucking any woman with a pulse, but he stays clear of me.

“It’s not you, sweetheart. They married for love,” he says.

I sip my water, acting like I don’t care.

“What do you think about marrying for love?” It’s such an odd question to ask me.

“I think that’s not an option for me. My father?—”

“Your father isn’t here now.”

I look up at him and find my voice. I don’t want to face my father, but I have no doubt he’s looking for me. That he’ll eventually find me. “But he will be. The D'Amatos shouldn'thave let their dog off the leash. When my father finds out you kidnapped me, there'll be hell to pay."

He snorts at my brazenness. "You really think your father's going to find out?"

I lean forward, hoping I look fierce. "He won't stop until he does."

He smirks. "By that time, it will be too late. Your father will have no choice but to accept that you don't belong to him anymore."

What does that mean?

Before I can say anything, he cuts me off. "Face it, Ava. You're mine now. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for both of us."

Fear grips me. "What… what are your intentions with me?"

He holds his hands up in a placating gesture. "Ava, I swear to you, I would never force myself on a woman. That's not who I am.”

“So, why am I here?” What is his endgame? Why won’t he tell me?

“In time, you’ll want to stay. You’ll want me.”

I study him, still not sure what he means and getting angry at this whole situation. "And what happens if I never want you?"

He laughs. It’s not an evil laugh, but it’s still annoying that he finds me amusing. He stands and goes to the door, not answering my question. As he reaches for the handle, he pauses and looks at me over his shoulder.

I glare back at him, wanting him to see that he won’t break me.

Once he leaves, I blow out a breath. What just happened? What does he mean by,Face it, Ava. You're mine now?

Does he really think in time, I’ll want to stay with him? Is he thinking I’ll fall victim to Stockholm Syndrome? Why would Iwant to stay when my world is just in these four walls? When he barely talks to me?

The way he left, he truly believes that someday, I’ll want him. Did I enjoy my evening with him the night he found me at the club? Yes. Do his kisses set me on fire? Yes. But that doesn’t mean I want him.

But perhaps he’s given me the opening to finally get free. If I can show him I want him and want to stay, perhaps he’ll let me out of this room.

I smile as I scoop up some of the fabulous pasta. I now have a plan. And when I’m free of this place, I’m going far away where no one can find me. Not my father. Not Matteo.

---